An Encouragement to Christians in These Dark Times in Our Culture

It seems as though the onslaught of media attention given to horrifying news across the world, especially here in America, has increased exponentially in recent times. News report after news report about the next piece of legislation expanding abortion access or restricting our religious freedoms. Homosexuality and sexual deviancy being propagated in schools and everywhere else. How should we, as Christians, respond to this changing culture and hostility towards God?

First, remember what Jesus said:

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 15:18-19

The world is hostile to Christians first and foremost because they are in rebellion to God. Don’t seek to please them, nor should you seek to accommodate them. Jesus clearly said that he chose us out of this world, to be separate from the world. Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), therefore, we should not seek our comfort in the culture of this world.

Speak truth boldly and unashamedly to lost people. The culture of this world has been given over to a politically correct notion that to offend someone is the greatest sin you can commit. Though it’s not specifically forbidden, it is not necessary to build a relationship with someone before you speak truth to them. In fact, throughout Scripture, we see the commandment to go and preach the gospel with a guarantee that you will be hated for doing so. Natural man is not receptive to the things of God — the natural mind is hostile to God (Romans 8:7). You must trust that your words, when spoken true to the Word of God, will have the desired effect God has ordained (Isaiah 55:11).

Also, remember that the world we live in is under God’s sovereign control. While we, as believers, are to be the salt and light of the earth, preserving the truth of God’s revelation and boldly proclaiming it, it is ultimately the work of God to change the hearts and minds of the people He chooses.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:44

No amount of sugar-coating or man-made effort to attract people to God is going to change the lost man’s heart. It’s an impossible task for us to accomplish — but with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

God has chosen to put you here in this world — in this fallen culture and dark times — for a reason. He has called you to proclaim the name of His son, Jesus Christ among the nations. He has called you to glorify Him in all that you do. Do not lose heart, for God is with you always (Matthew 28:20).

So just remember, our purpose is to bring glory to the Living God and it brings Him infinite glory to proclaim His name among a dark and dying world.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Romans 10:13-15